Black Caviar, the greatest Australian international sprinter of them all, has died after a short battle with laminitis, a debilitating condition that affects the hooves.
Racenet.com.au reports that the mighty mare died shortly after giving birth to a colt early on Saturday morning. It is understood Black Caviar was humanely euthanised at the Scone Equine Hospital.
Black Caviar – a champion that took racing to the masses (Pic – Supplied)
She was due to turn 18 by birth date on Sunday.
Laminitis is a debilitating hoof condition that is sometimes fatal in horses. The legendary American champion Secretariat lost his life due to the same condition.
The invincible Black Caviar won all of her 25 races including 15 at Group 1 level, with Luke Nolen in the saddle on 23 occasions.
She was acclaimed as the world’s best sprinter when she dominated racing from 2009-13.
Neil Werrett, one of the part-owners of the champion mare, was too devastated to comment.
It’s a difficult time at present – sorry,” Werrett said.
Trainer Peter Moody reflected on his time with Black Caviar and posted some images of the freakish mare on social media.
“She was a remarkable horse who gave us all the ride of a lifetime and wonderful memories,” Moody said.
“You don’t think it affects you but you are being stupid not to think it doesn’t. It’s impossible not to get attached to most animals let alone one like her.”
Black Caviar won the Lightning Stakes three times among her 15 Group 1 victories.
Moody shed tears on Saturday sharing the Black Caviar news with family and staff.
“I rang all the family and the staff, Paddy Bell and those close with her, and I sat in the car and cried for an hour as I was ringing them,” Moody said.
“I have a bloke (from the stable, Giovanni Spiga) in hospital, and I haven’t shed a tear, but a horse has died, and I’m crying.”
Moody said despite the best veterinary care there was nothing more than could have been done to save the mare.
Peter Moody – deeply saddened (Pic – Supplied)
“She had the foal this morning, a colt by Snitzel, and they put her down short after that on humane grounds,” he said.
“They scanned her feet yesterday and there was no blood flow at all. She had minimal blood flow in her feet anyhow as she was such a big girl.”
Black Caviar was a winning machine who conquered the world with her famous effort to win the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot before the late monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
Her English success was among 15 Group 1 wins that included two TJ Smith Stakes (2011, 2013), three Lightning Stakes (2011-12-13), two William Reid Stakes (2011, 2013) and the 2011 Newmarket Handicap under 58kg in a race record 1min 7.36sec.
Black Caviar was crowned the world’s best sprinter on four occasions and Australian Racehorse of the Year three times.
Chris Waller, famous for training another all-time great mare, Winx, said Black Caviar was a “wonderful ambassador for our sport”.
“She flew the flag proudly for Australian racing,” Waller said.
“What she was able to achieve on the racetrack was amazing, I was in awe of her every time she raced.
“She was close to perfect on the way a horse moves with her power, strength and determination.”
She attracted crowds wherever she went (Pic – Supplied)
Godolphin maestro James Cummings was working for his legendary grandfather, the late Bart Cummings, when Black Caviar was dominating Australian racing.
“I was saddling up horses for my grandfather and watching her string all those wins together,” Cummings said.
“It was really daylight second such was her prowess as a sprinter. She will be incredible missed.”
Hall of Fame jockey Darren Beadman said Black Caviar “put racing on the front pages”.
“Black Caviar stopped the nation when she won in England,” Beadman said. “She was a magnificent sprinter.
“I had the chance to ride her once. Peter Moody rang me when I was in Hong Kong but I couldn’t get back for the race. I would have loved to have ridden the mare.”
Black Caviar’s Snitzel colt was her ninth foal and comes after she produced a colt by The Autumn Sun last year. Seven of her foals have got to the races for four winners, the best of those being Invincible Caviar, winner of four of her eight races.
- www.racenet.com.au
